DylanAviation

How often does this have to happen before irresponsible pilots stop killing themselves and innocent people by flying low level aerobatics? It happened again, recently over the ocean beaches on Florida’s Treasure Coast. A local pilot with a reputation for “showing off” exceeded the limits of his airplane’s V-G diagram. The pilot lost control and spun into the water killing himself and his adult passenger. I mention adult, because the next scheduled flight that day was with a youngster in the young eagles program.

I did not know the pilot, but I am sure he was a very nice guy; however, my thoughts are not about the pilot, he acted irresponsibly, made poor choices and paid a very high price for his choices. The tragedy is the tremendous loss to his loving family, friends and associates, and the lost of life to his passenger, that family, those friends and associates.

Beyond the tragedy of two lives loss and other lives forever changed is the negative impact on the public’s view of general aviation and flying in general. This crash happened on Learn to Fly Day, a national event sponsored by the AOPA. That is too bad because aerobatics is not only fun and exciting, but it is very safe when the pilot is properly trained, acts responsibly and follows the rules. I have three rules for safety that I tell everyone I fly with: Altitude; Altitude; Altitude

Pilots fly low level maneuvers because they think someone is watching and will be impressed with them. Well here is a news flash if you think that way. Real pilots are not impressed because we have seen better than you. Non pilots are not impressed because most people attend air shows and you certainly fall way short by that comparison.

Low level aerobatics is stupid, just don’t do it!